Notes And Stuff

George Diaz's Weekend View

July 16, 1993|By George Diaz of The Sentinel Staff

Michael Jordan went 0-20 trying to hit a home run during a celebrity contest that was part of All-Star Game festivities in Baltimore. ''It's hard,'' Jordan told reporters. ''I'm used to seeing the ball on the tee.'' . . . Forget the siesta. This is a fiesta: Magic Johnson is coming to Mexico City Aug. 5, where his schedule includes conducting a benefit dinner for the poor, running the children's clinic and opening a Mexican sporting goods franchise. . . . The Braves are the team with the best chance of acquiring first baseman Fred McGriff from the San Diego Padres. With the Padres continuing their garage-sale approach to running a franchise, they are intent on dumping McGriff's $3.25 million contract in 1994. The deadline for making trades without first acquiring waivers is July 31. . . . Nintendo is tapping its own resources to promote its latest game. ''Ken Griffey Jr. Presents: Major League Baseball'' carries the endorsement of the Mariners' All-Star outfielder. Realism is a prime attraction, considering that Nintendo has the rights to authentic renderings of the 28 big league parks. The company put up $75 million of the $125 million needed to buy the Mariners.